I rejoice over you with singing. I quiet you with my love. You are my chosen one, adored and beloved. Do not believe the inner voices that disagree. Let my love for you define you as the Beloved of God. I cherish you. My thoughts of you outnumber the sands of the seas. I order your steps and your life. There is nothing to fear.

I will use you, even when you feel useless and weak. I am the God who can work miracles with spit and mud. But you are a beautiful creature of infinite value, indwelt with the very Spirit of God. What do you think I can do with that?

Suffering is your teacher, your guide, yet you scorn it. Just BE with it and listen to the lesson. Learn to coexist with negative emotions and experiences; they have profound things to offer you. These things are like seeds. They are not beautiful, but when buried in the fertile soil of my word and tended by the Gardener of your life, they will grow into something beautiful. Suffering becomes a glorious rose bush with a beauty and fragrance that makes it all worth it.

I am always here for you, although you are mostly unaware. See through the eyes of faith that I am watching over you as a mother watches over her newborn infant. The baby sleeps, unaware, but the mother would die to protect her. All the details that trouble you are weaving together to make something beautiful out of your life. Have compassion for others, but also yourself. Do not amputate yourself from the fruits of the Spirit. I love you; agree with me and love yourself as you love others.